US20150075109A1

US20150075109A1 - Decorative foldable frame, decorative foldable frame assembly and decorative foldable member

Info

Publication number: US20150075109A1
Application number: US14/395,620
Authority: US
Inventors: Louis BERGEVIN; David Bergevin; Charles Bergevin; Philippe Bergevin
Original assignee: Nuco Patents Inc
Current assignee: Nuco Patents Inc
Priority date: 2012-04-20
Filing date: 2013-04-19
Publication date: 2015-03-19
Also published as: WO2013155621A1

Abstract

The present document describes a decorative foldable frame for interfacing with a surface defining an internal surface and a peripheral external surface, the decorative foldable frame comprising: an internal mounting element having an internal mounting surface for interfacing with the internal surface and an external surface, the internal mounting element defining a first end and a second end; at least two external mounting elements adjacent to each one of the first and second ends of the internal mounting element, each one of the at least two external mounting elements having an internal mounting surface for interfacing with the peripheral external surface and an external surface; and a foldable layer covering at least one of: the internal mounting surface and the external surface of the internal mounting element or the at least two external mounting elements; wherein the foldable layer is integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable frame to fold and unfold to adopt any position between a non-installed position and an interfacing position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. provisional patent application Nos. 61/636,129 and 61/760,384 filed respectively on Apr. 20, 2012 and on Feb. 4, 2013.

BACKGROUND

(a) Field
The subject matter disclosed generally relates to the field of building materials and to door and windows decorative elements. More particularly, the subject matter relates to decorative foldable frames, to decorative foldable frame assemblies, to decorative foldable members and to methods for installing and/or using the same.
(b) Related Prior Art
The assembly of door and window building materials is a challenging endeavour which is facilitated by specialized machinery and tools in industrial and manufacturing settings. However, such assembly remains difficult when performed in a household setting, especially by non-professional individuals.
There is therefore still a need in the field of door building materials for decorative foldable frames, decorative foldable frame assemblies, decorative foldable door members and methods for installing and/or using the same.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, there is provided a decorative foldable frame for interfacing with a surface defining an internal surface and a peripheral external surface, the decorative foldable frame comprising: an internal mounting element having an internal mounting surface for interfacing with the internal surface and an external surface, the internal mounting element defining a first end and a second end; at least two external mounting elements adjacent to each one of the first and second ends of the internal mounting element, each one of the at least two external mounting elements having an internal mounting surface for interfacing with the peripheral external surface and an external surface; and a foldable layer covering at least one of: the internal mounting surface and the external surface of the internal mounting element or the at least two external mounting elements; wherein the foldable layer is integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable frame to fold and unfold to adopt any position between a non-installed position and an interfacing position.
The internal mounting element may comprise a first internal mounting element and a second internal mounting element, each one of the first and second internal mounting elements defining a first end and a second end opposed to the first end, the first end of the first internal mounting element further comprises a mating connector releasably connected with a corresponding mating connector on the second end of the second internal mounting element.
The internal mounting element may define a longitudinal edge and wherein at least one of the external mounting elements defines a corresponding edge for interfacing with the longitudinal edge of the internal mounting element when the decorative foldable frame adopts the interfacing position.
The longitudinal edge may define a first longitudinal edge at the first end of the internal mounting element and a second longitudinal edge at the second end of internal mounting element and further wherein two external mounting elements define a first corresponding edge for interfacing with the first longitudinal edge of the internal mounting element and a second corresponding edge for interfacing with the second longitudinal edge of the internal mounting element when the decorative foldable frame adopts the interfacing position.
The first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge of the internal mounting element may comprise a 45° longitudinal edge.
The first corresponding edge of a first one of the two external mounting elements and the second corresponding edge of a second one of the two external mounting elements may comprise a corresponding 45° longitudinal edge for interfacing with the first and second longitudinal edges of the internal mounting element when the decorative foldable frame adopts the fixedly interfacing position.
The internal mounting element may interact with the at least two external mounting elements for creating a 90° angle.
The internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements may comprise one of: a medium-density fiberboard material, a low-density fiberboard material, a high-density fiberboard material, a particle board, a wood material, a metallic material, a polymeric material and any combination thereof.
The foldable layer may comprise a thermoplastic material, a plastic material, a polymeric material, a metallic material, a linerboard material and any combination thereof.
The foldable layer may cover the internal mounting surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.
The foldable layer may partially cover the internal mounting surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.
The foldable layer may cover the external surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.
The foldable layer may partially cover the external surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.
The foldable layer may further include at least one foldable projection portion outwardly extending from the foldable layer.
According to another embodiment, there is provided a decorative foldable member comprising: an internal mounting element defining an internal interfacing surface, a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end and an external surface; two external mounting elements, each one of the two external mounting elements being adjacent to the first and second longitudinal ends respectively of the internal mounting element, each one of the two external mounting elements defining an external surface and an internal interfacing surface, an interfacing surface of one of the two external mounting elements for interfacing with the internal interfacing surface of the other one of the two external mounting element; and a foldable layer covering at least one of: the internal interfacing surface and the external surface of the internal mounting element or the two external mounting elements; wherein the foldable layer is integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable member to fold and unfold to adopt any position between a non-interfacing position and an interfacing position.
When adopting the interfacing position, the internal interfacing surfaces of the two external mounting elements may be interfacing for creating a mating connector at a distal end of the decorative foldable member to receive at least one corresponding mating connector of another member.
The internal interfacing surface of the internal mounting element may comprise a first internal interfacing surface and a second internal interfacing surface adjacent to the first internal interfacing surface.
The two external mounting elements may define a first corresponding edge on one of the two external mounting elements for totally interfacing with the first internal interfacing surface of the internal mounting element and a second corresponding edge on the other one of the two external mounting elements for interfacing with the second interfacing surface of the internal mounting element when the decorative foldable member adopts the interfacing position.
The first internal interfacing surface and the second internal interfacing surface may each define a 45° longitudinal edge.
The first and second internal interfacing surfaces of the internal mounting element may comprise a 45° longitudinal edge for interfacing with the first and second corresponding edges of the two external mounting elements.
The internal mounting element may interact with the two external mounting elements for creating 90° angles.
The foldable layer may cover or partially cover the internal interfacing surface of the internal mounting element and the two external mounting elements.
The foldable layer may cover or partially cover the external surface of the internal mounting element and the two external mounting elements.
The foldable layer may further include at least one foldable fin outwardly extending from the foldable layer.
The mating connector may further comprise a compartment for receiving a liquid composition.
According to another embodiment, the foldable frame assembly for interfacing with a surface along a wall opening periphery, the surface defining an internal surface and a peripheral external surface, the foldable frame assembly comprising: a first decorative foldable frame; a second decorative foldable frame, the second decorative foldable frame extending from the first decorative foldable frame; and a third decorative foldable frame, the third decorative foldable frame extending from the second decorative foldable frame.
The foldable frame assembly may further comprise a fourth decorative foldable frame, the fourth decorative foldable frame perpendicularly extending from the third and the first decorative foldable frames.
The internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements comprise one of: a medium-density fiberboard material, a low-density fiberboard material, a high-density fiberboard material, a particle board, a wood material, a metallic material, a polymeric material and any combination thereof.
The foldable layer may comprise a thermoplastic material, a plastic material, a polymeric material, a metallic material, a linerboard material and any combination thereof.
The foldable layer may cover the internal mounting surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.
The foldable layer may partially cover the internal mounting surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.
The foldable layer may cover the external surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.
The foldable layer partially may cover the external surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.
Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 are perspective and top views of a door opening defined by a wall in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a decorative foldable door frame in a non-installed position in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an internal mounting element and an adjacent external mounting element of the decorative foldable door frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of an internal mounting element and an adjacent external mounting element of the decorative foldable door frame of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the decorative foldable door frame of FIG. 2 in an interfacing position around an opening defined by a wall;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a decorative foldable door member in an interfacing position in accordance with another embodiment and a close-up fragmentary view of an end of the decorative foldable door member;

FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of a decorative door showing the decorative foldable door member of FIG. 6 in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an elevation view of the decorative foldable door member of FIG. 6 in a non-interfacing position;

FIG. 9 is an elevation view of the decorative foldable door member of FIG. 6 in an interfacing position;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a foldable door frame assembly in its non-installed position in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the foldable door frame assembly of FIG. 9 in its non-installed position;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the foldable door frame assembly of FIG. 9 in its interfacing position;

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the foldable door frame assembly of FIG. 9 in its non-installed position;

FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the foldable door frame assembly of FIG. 9 in its non-installed position to be installed on a door opening;

FIG. 14B is a perspective view of the foldable door frame assembly of FIG. 9 in a partially interfacing and extended position interfacing with the door opening;

FIG. 14C is a perspective view of the foldable frame assembly of FIG. 9 in an interfacing and extended position interfacing with the door opening;

FIG. 14D is a perspective view of the foldable door frame assembly of FIG. 9 in an interfacing position and unextended position interfacing with the door opening;

FIG. 15A is a side elevation view of a decorative foldable door frame in a non-installed position in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 15B is another side elevation view of the decorative foldable door frame of FIG. 15A in a non-installed position in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 15C is another side elevation view of the decorative foldable door frame of FIG. 15A in a non-installed position in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 15D is another side elevation view of the decorative foldable door frame of FIG. 15A in a non-installed position, where the mating connectors are releasably connected; and

FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the decorative foldable door frame of FIGS. 15A-15D in an installed position in accordance with another embodiment.

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In embodiments, there are disclosed decorative foldable frames, decorative foldable frame assemblies, decorative foldable door members and methods for installing and/or using the same.
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a wall 9 defining a door opening 11. It is to be mentioned that the door opening 11 may also be understood to be a window opening, a garage opening and any other suitable opening for receiving a decorative foldable door frame 10 as described below. The opening 11 may be defined in the wall 9 by peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b and an internal surface 12 which has a lateral length 13 (i.e., the thickness of the wall 9 or of the structure). FIG. 1 shows that edges 15 a, 15 b are defined at meeting points of the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b and the internal surface 12.
Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, there is shown the decorative foldable door frame 10. The decorative foldable door frame 10 is to be interfacing with the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b and the internal surface 12 of the wall 9 defining the door opening 11. The decorative foldable door frame 10 includes internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b. Each one of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b defines an internal mounting surface 18 a, 18 b to be interfacing with the internal surface 12 and external surfaces 20 a, 20 b. The decorative foldable door frame 10 further includes external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b, where each one of the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b is adjacent to longitudinal sides 26, 27 of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b.
The external mounting elements 24 a, 14 b include or define internal mounting surfaces 28 a, 28 b which can fixedly interface with the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b respectively and external surfaces 30 a, 30 b.
Additionally, the decorative foldable door frame 10 includes foldable layers 22 a, 22 b. As shown in FIG. 2, the foldable layer 22 a covers or layers the external surface 30 a of the external mounting element 24 a and the external surface 20 a of the internal mounting element 16 a, totally, or partially. On the other hand, the foldable layer 22 b covers or layers the external surface 30 b of the external mounting element 24 b and the external surface 20 b of the internal mounting element 16 b, totally, or partially.
Still referring to FIG. 2, the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b totally covers the external surfaces 20 a, 20 b, 30 a, 30 b of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b and the adjacent external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b.
According to an embodiment, the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b may be integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable door frame 10 to fold and unfold to adopt any positions between a non-installed position (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4) and an interfacing position (FIG. 5).
Now referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is shown the internal mounting elements 16 a with the external mounting element 24 a (FIG. 3) and the internal mounting elements 16 b with the external mounting element 24 b (FIG. 4). The internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b each defines respective longitudinal opposed ends 36 a, 37 a, 36 b, 37 b. As shown, the end 37 a of the internal mounting element 16 a includes a mating connector 38 (FIG. 3) which can releasably connect with a corresponding mating connector 40 on the end 36 b of the internal mounting element 16 b (FIG. 4). However, it is to be noted that the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b may be integrally formed such that a decorative foldable door frame 10 may include only one internal mounting element and adjacent external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b without any mating connectors of the internal mounting element.
Furthermore, the internal mounting element 16 a defines a longitudinal edge 42 as the internal mounting element 16 b defines a longitudinal edge 46 (FIG. 2). Also, the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b each define a corresponding edge 44, 48 (FIG. 2) for interfacing with the longitudinal edges 42, 46 of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b when the decorative foldable door frame 10 adopts an interfacing position (FIG. 5).
Now referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the longitudinal edge 42 of the internal mounting element 16 a and the longitudinal edge 46 of the internal mounting element 16 b define a 45° longitudinal edge. Moreover, the corresponding edge 44 of the external mounting element 24 a and the corresponding edge 48 of the external mounting element 24 b define a corresponding 45° longitudinal edge for interfacing with the longitudinal edges 42, 46 of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b when adopting the interfacing position (FIG. 5).
Furthermore, the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b interact with the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b for creating a 90° angle (FIGS. 3 and 4). As shown on FIG. 5, the 45° edges 42, 46 and the corresponding 45° edges 44, 48 interact and interface to position the decorative foldable door frame 10 in its interfacing position.
Also, the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b and/or the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b may be fixed to the internal surface 12 or the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b (FIGS. 1 and 5) of wall 9 defining the door opening 11 using, without limitation, screws, nails, glue, dove tail elements and any other suitable fastener for fixing the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b and/or the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b to the internal surface 12 or to the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b. More preferably, the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b are interfacing with the internal surface 12 and the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b are fixed to the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b.
According to an embodiment, the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b and the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b may include, without limitation, a medium-density fiberboard material (i.e., MDF), a low-density fiberboard material (i.e., LDF), a high-density fiberboard material (i.e., HDF), a particle board, a wood material, a metallic material, a polymeric material, any combinations, and any other suitable material for use of the decorative foldable door frame 10 in indoor conditions or in outdoor conditions (or in both indoor and outdoor conditions).
According to another embodiment, the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b may include, without limitation, a thermoplastic material, a plastic material, a polymeric material, a metallic material, a linerboard material, any combinations, and any suitable material for allowing the decorative foldable door frame 10 to be folded and unfolded between a non-installed position (FIGS. 2, 3, 4) and an interfacing position (FIG. 5). Thus, the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b need to be flexible and strength such as to fold and unfolded without damage or with reduced risks of damages.
As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b may cover the internal mounting surfaces 18 a, 28 a, 18 b, 28 b of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b and of the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b. However, it is to be noted that the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b may partially or totally covers the internal mounting surfaces 18 a, 28 a, 18 b, 28 b of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b and of the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b.
According to another embodiment, the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b may also cover the external surfaces 20 a, 30 a, 20 b, 30 b of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b and of the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b. It is to be noted that in both cases, the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b may be weakened at longitudinal lines (not shown) corresponding to the longitudinal sides 26, 27 respectively between the internal mounting element 16 a and the external mounting element 24 a and the internal mounting element 16 b and the external mounting element 24 b. In this case, the decorative foldable door frame 10 may fold and unfold to adopt any position between the non installed position (FIGS. 2-4 and 3) and the interfacing position (FIG. 5).
According to another embodiment, the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b may partially or totally cover the external surfaces 20 a, 30 a, 20 b, 30 b of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b and of the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b.
In the scenario where the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b cover the internal mounting surfaces 18 a, 28 a, 18 b, 28 b of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b and the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b, the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b may further include at least one foldable fin (i.e., or projecting portion, not shown) outwardly extending from the foldable layers 22 a, 22 b.
It is to be notated that, the internal mounting element 16 a adjacent with the external mounting element 24 a via the foldable layer 22 a and the internal mounting element 16 b adjacent with the external mounting element 24 b via the foldable layer 22 b may come into a kit for allowing a user to releasably connect them, via the mating connectors 38 and 40 of the internal mounting elements 16 a, 16 b.
It is to be noted that the ends of the external mounting elements 24 a, 24 b opposite the ends 37 a, 36 b with the mating connectors each include a mating connector for releasably connecting with a corresponding mating connector (not shown) of a decorative element (i.e., a decorative molding).
According to another embodiment and referring now to FIGS. 6-9, there is shown a decorative foldable door member 100. The decorative foldable door member 100 includes an internal mounting element 112 defining internal interfacing surfaces 114 a, 114 b and an external surface 116. The decorative foldable door member 100 also includes external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b adjacent to each longitudinal ends 120, 122 of the internal mounting element 112. The external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b define external surfaces 124 a, 124 b and internal interfacing surfaces 126 a, 126 b. One internal interfacing surface 126 a of the external mounting elements 118 a is for interfacing with the internal interfacing surface 126 b of the external mounting element 118 b when the decorative foldable door member 100 is in an interfacing position (FIGS. 6, 7 and 9). The decorative foldable door member 100 further includes a foldable layer 128 which covers the external surfaces 124 a, 124 b and 116 of the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b and of the internal mounting element 112. It is however to be noted that a foldable layer 128 may also covers the internal interfacing surfaces 114 a, 114 b, 126 a and/or 126 b of the internal mounting element 112 and of the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b.
According to FIGS. 6-9, the foldable layer 128 covers the external surface 116 of the internal mounting element 112 and the external surface 124 a, 124 b of the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b. The foldable layer 128 is integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable door member 100 to fold and unfold to adopt any position between a non-interfacing position (FIG. 8) and an interfacing position (FIGS. 6, 7 and 9).
When adopting the interfacing position (FIGS. 6, 7 and 9), the internal interfacing surfaces 126 a, 126 b of the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 are interfacing for creating a mating connector 130 at a distal end 132 (FIG. 9) of the decorative foldable door member 100 to receive at least one corresponding mating connector 134. In other words, each one of the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b defines a recess 129 a, 129 b at an end opposed to the internal mounting surface 112 to be aligned with the other one of the recess 129 a, 129 b when in the interfacing position and thereby providing the decorative foldable door member 100 with a mating connector 130 which has a suitable shape and configuration to releasably match with a corresponding mating connector 134 of another door member 135.
The external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b define a corresponding edge 140 for interfacing with the internal interfacing surface 114 a of the internal mounting element 112 and a corresponding edge 142 for interfacing with the internal interfacing surface 114 b of the internal mounting element 112 when the decorative foldable door member adopts the interfacing position (FIGS. 6, 7 and 9).
The internal interfacing surface 114 a and the internal interfacing surface 114 b define in FIGS. 6-9 a 45° longitudinal edge. The internal interfacing surfaces 114 a, 114 b of the internal mounting element 112 include a 45° longitudinal edge for interfacing with the corresponding edges 140, 142 of the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b respectively. However, it is to be noted that any suitable angle, shape and configuration may be used such as to allow the edges 140, 142 of the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b to interface with the internal interfacing surfaces 114 a, 114 b of the internal mounting element 112 when the decorative foldable door member adopts its interfacing position.
The internal mounting element 112 interacts with the two external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b for creating a 90° angle.
According to an embodiment, the internal mounting element 112 and the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b may include, without limitation, a medium-density fiberboard material, a wood material, a metallic material, a polymeric material, any combination, and any other suitable material.
According to another embodiment, the foldable layer 128 may include, without limitation, a thermoplastic material, a plastic material, a polymeric material, a metallic material, a linerboard material, any combination, and any other suitable material for allowing the decorative foldable door member 100 to be folded and unfolded between a non-installed position (FIG. 8) and an interfacing position (FIGS. 6, 7 and 9). Thus, the foldable layer 128 needs to be flexible and strength such as to fold and unfolded without damage or with reduced risks of damages.
According to another embodiment, the foldable layer 128 may cover the internal interfacing surfaces 114 a, 114 b of the internal mounting element 112 and the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b. The foldable layer 128 may partially cover the internal interfacing surfaces 114 a, 114 b of the internal mounting element 112 and of the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b.
According to another embodiment, the foldable layer 128 may cover the external surfaces 116, 124 a, 124 b of the internal/external mounting elements 112, 118 a and 118 b. The foldable layer 128 may partially cover the external surfaces 116, 124 a and 124 b of the internal/external mounting elements 112, 118 a, 118 b.
According to another embodiment, the foldable layer 128 may further include at least one foldable fin (i.e., outwardly projecting portion) outwardly extending from the foldable layer 128. Indeed, during the installation of the decorative foldable door member 100, it will be easier with the fins or projecting portions (not shown) to control the position of the decorative foldable door member 100 between the non interlacing position and the interlacing position.
According to another embodiment, the mating connector 130 formed within the external mounting elements 118 a, 118 b (i.e., at their respective ends) when in the interfacing position, may further define a compartment 144 for receiving a liquid composition (i.e. glue or adhesive composition) for facilitating the installation of the decorative foldable door member 100 and the connection with the corresponding mating connectors 134 of the other door members 135.
It is to be noted that in embodiments, the foldable layer 128 may be weakened at places corresponding to the longitudinal ends 120, 122 of the internal mounting element 112. In this scenario, the decorative foldable door member 100 may fold and unfold to adopt any position between the non-interfacing position and the interfacing position.
According to another embodiment and referring now to FIGS. 10-13 and 14A-14D, there is shown a foldable door frame assembly 200 to be interfacing with an opening defined by a wall.
In FIGS. 14A-14D, there is shown a perspective view of a wall 201 defining a door opening 202. It is to be mentioned that the door opening 202 may also be understood to be a window opening, a garage opening and any other suitable opening for receiving a foldable door frame assembly 200 as described below. The opening 202 may be defined in the wall 201 by peripheral external surfaces 203 a-203 f and internal surfaces 205 a-205 c which have lateral lengths (i.e., the thickness of the wall 201 or of the structure). FIGS. 14A-14D show that edges are defined at meeting points of the peripheral external surfaces 203 a-203 f and the internal surfaces 205 a-205 c.
Referring now to FIGS. 10-13, there is shown the foldable door frame assembly 200. The foldable door frame assembly 200 is to be interfacing with the peripheral external surfaces 203 a-203 f and the internal surfaces 205 a-205 c of the wall 201 defining the door opening 202. The foldable door frame assembly 10 includes at least three decorative foldable door frames 211 a, 211 b, 211 c. Each one of the decorative foldable door frames 211 a, 211 b, 211 c extends from another one of the decorative foldable door frames 211 a, 211 b, 211 c. The decorative foldable door assembly 211 a includes internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b. Each one of the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b defines internal mounting surface 218 a, 218 b to be interfacing with the internal surface 205 a and external surfaces 203 a, 203 b. The decorative foldable door frame 211 a further includes external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b, where each one of the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b is adjacent to longitudinal sides 242, 244 of the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b.
The external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b include or define internal mounting surfaces 254 a, 254 b which can interface with the peripheral external surfaces 203 a, 203 b respectively and external surfaces 259 a, 259 b.
Additionally, the decorative foldable door frame 211 a includes foldable layers 230 a, 230 b. The foldable layers 230 a covers or layers the external surface 259 a of the external mounting element 236 a and the external surface 224 a of the internal mounting element 212 a, totally, or partially. On the other hand, the foldable layer 230 b covers or layers the external surface 259 b of the external mounting element 236 b and the external surface 224 b of the internal mounting element 212 b, totally, or partially.
The foldable layers 230 a, 230 b totally covers the external surfaces 224 a, 224 b, 259 a, 259 b of the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b and the adjacent external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b.
According to an embodiment, the foldable layers 230 a, 230 b may be integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable door frame 211 a to fold and unfold to adopt any positions between a non installed position (FIGS. 10, 11, 14A and 14B) and an interfacing position (FIGS. 12, 13, 14C and 14D).
The internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b each defines respective longitudinal opposed ends 260 a, 260 b, 262 a, 262 b. As shown, the end 260 a of the internal mounting element 212 a includes a mating connector 272 which can releasably connect with a corresponding mating connector 274 on the end 260 b of the internal mounting element 212 b. However, it is to be noted that the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b may be integrally formed such that a decorative foldable door frame 211 a may include only one internal mounting element and adjacent external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b without any mating connectors on the internal mounting element.
Furthermore, the internal mounting element 212 a defines a longitudinal edge 284 a as the internal mounting element 212 b defines a longitudinal edge 284 b. Also, the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b each define a corresponding edge 286 a, 286 b for interfacing with the longitudinal edges 284 a, 284 b of the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b when the decorative foldable door frame 211 a adopts an interfacing position (FIGS. 12, 13, 14C and 14D).
The longitudinal edge 284 a of the internal mounting element 212 a and the longitudinal edge 284 b of the internal mounting element 212 b define a 90° longitudinal edge. Moreover, the corresponding edge 286 a of the external mounting element 236 a and the corresponding edge 286 b of the external mounting element 236 b define a corresponding 90° longitudinal edge for interfacing with the longitudinal edges 284 a, 284 b of the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b when adopting the interfacing position (FIGS. 12, 13, 14C and 14D).
Similarly, the decorative foldable door frame 211 b includes internal mounting elements 214 a, 214 b. Each one of the internal mounting elements 214 a, 214 b defines internal mounting surface 220 a, 220 b to be interfacing with the internal surface 205 b and external surfaces 203 c, 203 d. The decorative foldable door frame 211 b further includes external mounting elements 238 a, 238 b, where each one of the external mounting elements 238 a, 238 b is adjacent to longitudinal sides 246, 248 of the internal mounting elements 214 a, 214 b.
The external mounting elements 238 a, 238 b include or define internal mounting surfaces 256 a, 256 b which can interface with the peripheral external surfaces 203 c, 203 d respectively and external surfaces 259 c, 259 d.
Additionally, the decorative foldable door frame 211 b includes foldable layers 232 a, 232 b. The foldable layer 232 a covers or layers the external surface 259 c of the external mounting element 238 a and the external surface 226 a of the internal mounting element 214 a, totally, or partially. On the other hand, the foldable layer 232 b covers or layers the external surface 259 d of the external mounting element 238 b and the external surface 226 b of the internal mounting element 214 b, totally, or partially.
The foldable layers 232 a, 232 b totally covers the external surfaces 226 a, 226 b, 259 c, 259 d of the internal mounting elements 214 a, 214 b and the adjacent external mounting elements 238 a, 238 b.
According to an embodiment, the foldable layers 232 a, 232 b may be integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable door frame 211 b to fold and unfold to adopt any positions between a non installed position (FIGS. 10, 11, 14A and 14B) and an interfacing position (FIGS. 12, 13, 14C and 14D).
The internal mounting elements 214 a, 214 b each defines respective longitudinal opposed ends 264 a, 264 b, 266 a, 266 b. As shown, the end 264 a of the internal mounting element 214 a includes a mating connector 276 which can releasably connect with a corresponding mating connector 278 on the end 266 a of the internal mounting element 214 b. However, it is to be noted that the internal mounting elements 214 a, 214 b may be integrally formed such that a decorative foldable door frame 211 b may include only one internal mounting element and adjacent external mounting elements 238 a, 238 b without any mating connectors on the internal mounting element.
Furthermore, the internal mounting element 214 a defines a longitudinal edge 288 a as the internal mounting element 214 b defines a longitudinal edge 288 b. Also, the external mounting elements 238 a, 238 b each define a corresponding edge 290 a, 290 b for interfacing with the longitudinal edges 288 a, 288 b of the internal mounting elements 214 a, 214 b when the decorative foldable door frame 211 b adopts an interfacing position (FIGS. 12, 13, 14C and 14D).
The longitudinal edge 288 a of the internal mounting element 214 a and the longitudinal edge 288 b of the internal mounting element 214 b define a 90° longitudinal edge. Moreover, the corresponding edge 290 a of the external mounting element 238 a and the corresponding edge 290 b of the external mounting element 238 b define a corresponding 90° longitudinal edge for interfacing with the longitudinal edges 288 a, 288 b of the internal mounting elements 214 a, 214 b when adopting the interfacing position (FIGS. 12, 13, 14C and 14D).
Similarly, the decorative foldable door frame 211 c includes internal mounting elements 216 a, 216 b (It is to be noted that some reference numeral are not shown for the decorative foldable door frame 211 c, but can be referred to the foldable door frames 211 a and 211 b). Each one of the internal mounting elements 216 a, 216 b defines internal mounting surface 222 a, 222 b to be interfacing with the internal surface 205 c and external surfaces 203 e, 203 f. The decorative foldable door frame 211 c further includes external mounting elements 240 a, 240 b, where each one of the external mounting elements 240 a, 240 b is adjacent to longitudinal sides 250, 252 of the internal mounting elements 216 a, 216 b.
The external mounting elements 240 a, 240 b include or define internal mounting surfaces 258 a, 258 b which can interface with the peripheral external surfaces 203 e, 203 f respectively and external surfaces 259 e, 259 f.
Additionally, the decorative foldable door frame 211 c includes foldable layers 234 a, 234 b. The foldable layer 234 a covers or layers the external surface 259 e of the external mounting element 240 a and the external surface 228 a of the internal mounting element 216 a, totally, or partially. On the other hand, the foldable layer 234 b covers or layers the external surface 259 f of the external mounting element 240 b and the external surface 228 b of the internal mounting element 218 b, totally, or partially.
The foldable layers 234 a, 234 b totally covers the external surfaces 228 a, 228 b, 259 e, 259 f of the internal mounting elements 216 a, 216 b and the adjacent external mounting elements 240 a, 240 b.
According to an embodiment, the foldable layers 234 a, 234 b may be integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable door frame 211 c to fold and unfold to adopt any positions between a non installed position (FIGS. 10, 11, 14A and 14B) and an interfacing position (FIGS. 12, 13, 14C and 14D).
The internal mounting elements 216 a, 216 b each defines respective longitudinal opposed ends 268 a, 268 b, 270 a, 270 b. As shown, the end 268 a of the internal mounting element 216 a includes a mating connector 280 which can releasably connect with a corresponding mating connector 284 on the end 270 a of the internal mounting element 216 b. However, it is to be noted that the internal mounting elements 216 a, 216 b may be integrally formed such that a decorative foldable door frame 211 c may include only one internal mounting element and adjacent external mounting elements 240 a, 240 b without any mating connectors on the internal mounting element.
Furthermore, the internal mounting element 216 a defines a longitudinal edge 292 a as the internal mounting element 216 b defines a longitudinal edge 292 b. Also, the external mounting elements 240 a, 240 b each define a corresponding edge 294 a, 294 b for interfacing with the longitudinal edges 292 a, 292 b of the internal mounting elements 216 a, 216 b when the decorative foldable door frame 211 c adopts an interfacing position (FIGS. 12, 13, 14C and 14D).
The longitudinal edge 292 a of the internal mounting element 216 a and the longitudinal edge 292 b of the internal mounting element 216 b define a 90° longitudinal edge. Moreover, the corresponding edge 294 a of the external mounting element 240 a and the corresponding edge 294 b of the external mounting element 240 b define a corresponding 90° longitudinal edge for interfacing with the longitudinal edges 292 a, 292 b of the internal mounting elements 216 a, 216 b when adopting the interfacing position (FIGS. 12, 13, 14C and 14D).
Also, the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b, 214 a, 214 b, 216 a, 216 b and/or the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b, 238 a, 238 b, 240 a, 240 b may be fixed to the internal surfaces 205 a, 205 b and/or 205 c or the peripheral external surfaces 203 a-f of wall 201 defining the door opening 202 using, without limitation, screws, nails, glue, dove tail elements and any other suitable fastener for fixing the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b, 214 a, 214 b, 216 a, 216 b and/or the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b, 238 a, 238 b, 240 a, 240 b to the internal surfaces 205 a, 205 b and/or 205 c or to the peripheral external surfaces 203 a-f. More preferably, the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b, 214 a, 214 b, 216 a, 216 b are interfacing with the internal surface 205 a, 205 b and/or 205 c and the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b, 238 a, 238 b, 240 a, 240 b are fixed to the peripheral external surfaces 203 a-f.
According to an embodiment, the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b, 214 a, 214 b, 216 a, 216 b and the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b, 238 a, 238 b, 240 a, 240 b may include, without limitation, a medium-density fiberboard material (i.e., MDF), a low-density fiberboard material (i.e., LDF), a high-density fiberboard material (i.e., HDF), a particle board, a wood material, a metallic material, a polymeric material, any combinations, and any other suitable material for use of the decorative foldable door frames 211 a, 211 b, 211 c in indoor conditions or in outdoor conditions (or in both indoor and outdoor conditions).
According to another embodiment, the foldable layers 230 a, 230 b, 232 a, 232 b, 234 a, 234 b may include, without limitation, a thermoplastic material, a plastic material, a polymeric material, a metallic material, a linerboard material, any combinations, and any suitable material for allowing the decorative foldable door assembly 200 to be folded and unfolded between a non-installed position and an interfacing position. Thus, the foldable layers 230 a, 230 b, 232 a, 232 b, 234 a, 234 b need to be flexible and strength such as to fold and unfolded without damage.
The foldable layers 230 a, 230 b, 232 a, 232 b, 234 a, 234 b may cover the internal mounting surfaces 218 a, 218 b, 220 a, 220 b, 222 a, 222 b of the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b, 214 a, 214 b, 216 a, 216 b and of the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b, 238 a, 238 b, 240 a, 240 b. However, it is to be noted that the foldable layers 230 a, 230 b, 232 a, 232 b, 234 a, 234 b may partially or totally covers the internal mounting surfaces 218 a, 218 b, 220 a, 220 b, 222 a, 222 b of the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b, 214 a, 214 b, 216 a, 216 b and of the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b, 238 a, 238 b, 240 a, 240 b.
According to another embodiment, the foldable layers 230 a, 230 b, 232 a, 232 b, 234 a, 234 b may also cover the external surfaces 224 a, 224 b, 226 a, 226 b, 228 a, 228 b, 259 a-f of the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b, 214 a, 214 b, 216 a, 216 b and of the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b, 238 a, 238 b, 240 a, 240 b. It is to be noted that in both cases, the foldable layers 230 a, 230 b, 232 a, 232 b, 234 a, 234 b may be weakened at longitudinal lines (not shown) corresponding to the longitudinal sides respectively between the internal mounting elements 212 a, 212 b, 214 a, 214 b, 216 a, 216 b and the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b, 238 a, 238 b, 240 a, 240 b. In this case, the decorative foldable door frames 211 a-c may fold and unfold to adopt any position between the non-installed position and the interlacing position.
In use and referring now to FIGS. 14A-14D, the foldable door assembly 200 is in its folded position in FIG. 14A. In FIG. 14B, external mounting elements 236 a, 238 a and 240 a adopt unfolded positions and a portion of the foldable door frame assembly 200 is introduced within the opening 202 defined by the wall 201. In FIG. 14C, the external mounting elements 236 b, 238 b and 240 c also adopt the unfolded positions. Then, the external mounting elements 236 a, 236 b, 238 a, 238 b, 240 a and 240 b can now interface with the peripheral external surfaces 203 a-203 f of the wall 201. FIG. 14D shows that the foldable door frame assembly 200 is operative since a door can then be opened and closed.
According to another embodiment and referring now to FIGS. 15A-15D and 16, there is shown another embodiment of a decorative foldable frame 300. FIG. 15A is a side elevation view of a decorative foldable door frame 300 in a non-installed position. FIG. 15B is another side elevation view of the decorative foldable door frame 300 of FIG. 15A in a non-installed position. FIG. 15C is another side elevation view of the decorative foldable door frame 300 of FIG. 15A in a non-installed position. FIG. 15D is another side elevation view of the decorative foldable door frame 300 of FIG. 15A in a non-installed position, where the mating connectors are releasably connected and FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of the decorative foldable door frame 300 of FIGS. 15A-15D in an installed position in accordance with another embodiment.
The decorative foldable door frame 300 is to be interfacing with the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b and the internal surface 12 of the wall 9 defining the door opening 11 (FIG. 1). The decorative foldable door frame 300 includes internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b. Each one of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b defines an internal mounting surface 318 a, 318 b to be interlacing with the internal surface 12 and external surfaces 320 a, 320 b. The decorative foldable door frame 300 further includes external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b, where each one of the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b is adjacent to longitudinal sides 326, 327 of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b.
The external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b include or define internal mounting surfaces 328 a, 328 b which can fixedly interface with the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b respectively and external surfaces 330 a, 330 b.
Additionally, the decorative foldable door frame 300 includes foldable layers 322 a, 322 b. As shown in FIGS. 15A-16, the foldable layer 322 a covers or layers the external surface 330 a of the external mounting element 324 a and the external surface 320 a of the internal mounting element 316 a, totally, or partially. On the other hand, the foldable layer 322 b covers or layers the external surface 330 b of the external mounting element 324 b and the external surface 320 b of the internal mounting element 316 b, totally, or partially.
Still referring to FIGS. 15A-16, the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b totally covers the external surfaces 320 a, 320 b, 330 a, 330 b of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b and the adjacent external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b.
According to an embodiment, the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b may be integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable door frame 300 to fold and unfold to adopt any positions between a non-installed position (FIGS. 15A, 15B, 15C and 15D) and an interfacing position (FIG. 16).
Still referring to FIGS. 15A-16, there is shown the internal mounting elements 316 a with the external mounting element 324 a and the internal mounting elements 316 b with the external mounting element 324 b. The internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b each defines respective longitudinal opposed ends 336 a, 337 a, 336 b, 337 b. As shown, the end 337 a of the internal mounting element 316 a includes a mating connector 338 which can releasably connect with a corresponding mating connector 340 on the end 336 b of the internal mounting element 316 b (FIG. 16). However, it is to be noted that the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b may be integrally formed such that a decorative foldable door frame 300 may include only one internal mounting element and adjacent external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b without any mating connectors of the internal mounting element.
Furthermore, the internal mounting element 316 a defines a longitudinal edge 342 as the internal mounting element 316 b defines a longitudinal edge 346 (FIGS. 15B, 15C and 15D). Also, the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b each define a corresponding edge 344, 348 (FIGS. 15B, 15C and 15D) for interfacing with the longitudinal edges 342, 346 of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b when the decorative foldable door frame 300 adopts an interfacing position (FIGS. 15A and 16). The longitudinal edge 342 of the internal mounting element 316 a and the longitudinal edge 346 of the internal mounting element 316 b define a flat longitudinal edge. Moreover, the corresponding edge 344 of the external mounting element 324 a and the corresponding edge 348 of the external mounting element 324 b define a corresponding flat longitudinal edge for interfacing with the flat longitudinal edges 342, 346 of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b when adopting the interfacing position (FIGS. 15A and 16). It is to be noted that the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b may fold and unfolded between 0° and 90° from the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b respectively. A shown in FIG. 15A, the flat longitudinal edges 342, 346 interface the flat corresponding edges 344, 348 of the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b for allowing the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b to be in the interfacing position for interfacing with the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b (FIG. 1). However, in FIG. 15B, there is shown that the flat longitudinal edges 342, 346 do not interface the flat corresponding edges 344, 348 of the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b for allowing the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b to be in the non-installed position. Then, there is shown in FIG. 15C that the flat longitudinal edges 342, 346 do not interface the flat corresponding edges 344, 348 of the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b for allowing the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b to be in the interfacing position for interfacing with the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b (FIG. 1). In FIG. 15C, the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b are at angle of about 45° from the respective internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b. In FIG. 15D, there is shown that the flat longitudinal edges 342, 346 do not interface the flat corresponding edges 344, 348 of the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b for allowing the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b to be in the non-installed position. However, in FIG. 15D, the mating connector 338 is releasably connected with the corresponding mating connector 340.
Furthermore, the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b interact with the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b for creating a 90° angle (FIG. 16). As shown on FIG. 16, the flat edges 342, 346 and the flat edges 344, 348 interact and interface to position the decorative foldable door frame 300 in its interfacing position (i.e., the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b and the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b are at a 90° angle).
Also, the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b and/or the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b may be fixed to the internal surface 12 (FIG. 1) or the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b (FIG. 1) of wall 9 defining the door opening 11 using, without limitation, screws, nails, glue, dove tail elements and any other suitable fastener for fixing the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b and/or the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b to the internal surface 12 or to the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b. More preferably, the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b are interfacing with the internal surface 12 and the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b are fixed to the peripheral external surfaces 14 a, 14 b.
According to an embodiment, the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b and the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b may include, without limitation, a medium-density fiberboard material (i.e., MDF), a low-density fiberboard material (i.e., LDF), a high-density fiberboard material (i.e., HDF), a particle board, a wood material, a metallic material, a polymeric material, any combinations, and any other suitable material for use of the decorative foldable door frame 300 in indoor conditions or in outdoor conditions (or in both indoor and outdoor conditions).
According to another embodiment, the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b may include, without limitation, a thermoplastic material, a plastic material, a polymeric material, a metallic material, a linerboard material, any combinations, and any suitable material for allowing the decorative foldable door frame 300 to be folded and unfolded between a non-installed position (FIGS. 15A-15D) and an interfacing position (FIG. 16). Thus, the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b need to be flexible and strength such as to fold and unfolded without damage or with reduced risks of damages.
As shown in FIGS. 15A-16, the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b may cover the internal mounting surfaces 318 a, 328 a, 318 b, 328 b of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b and of the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b. However, it is to be noted that the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b may partially or totally covers the internal mounting surfaces 318 a, 328 a, 318 b, 328 b of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b and of the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b.
According to another embodiment, the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b may also cover the external surfaces 320 a, 330 a, 320 b, 330 b of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b and of the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b. It is to be noted that in both cases, the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b may be weakened at longitudinal lines (not shown) between the internal mounting element 316 a and the external mounting element 324 a and the internal mounting element 316 b and the external mounting element 324 b. In this case, the decorative foldable door frame 300 may fold and unfold to adopt any position between the non installed position (FIGS. 15A-15D) and the interfacing position (FIG. 16).
According to another embodiment, the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b may partially or totally cover the external surfaces 320 a, 330 a, 320 b, 330 b of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b and of the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b.
In the scenario where the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b cover the internal mounting surfaces 318 a, 328 a, 318 b, 328 b of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b and the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b, the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b may further include at least one foldable fin (i.e., or projecting portion, not shown) outwardly extending from the foldable layers 322 a, 322 b.
It is to be notated that, the internal mounting element 316 a adjacent with the external mounting element 324 a via the foldable layer 322 a and the internal mounting element 316 b adjacent with the external mounting element 324 b via the foldable layer 322 b may come into a kit for allowing a user to releasably connect them, via the mating connectors 338 and 340 of the internal mounting elements 316 a, 316 b.
It is to be noted that the ends of the external mounting elements 324 a, 324 b opposite the ends 337 a, 336 b with the mating connectors each include a mating connector 400, 401 for releasably connecting with a corresponding mating connector (not shown) of a decorative element (i.e., a decorative molding).
While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A decorative foldable frame for interfacing with a surface defining an internal surface and a peripheral external surface, the decorative foldable frame comprising:

an internal mounting element having an internal mounting surface for interfacing with the internal surface and an external surface, the internal mounting element defining a first end and a second end;

at least two external mounting elements adjacent to each one of the first and second ends of the internal mounting element, each one of the at least two external mounting elements having an internal mounting surface for interfacing with the peripheral external surface and an external surface; and

a foldable layer covering at least one of: the internal mounting surface and the external surface of the internal mounting element or the at least two external mounting elements;

wherein the foldable layer is integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable frame to fold and unfold to adopt any position between a non-installed position and an interfacing position.

2. The decorative foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the internal mounting element comprises a first internal mounting element and a second internal mounting element, each one of the first and second internal mounting elements defining a first end and a second end opposed to the first end, the first end of the first internal mounting element further comprising a mating connector releasably connected with a corresponding mating connector on the second end of the second internal mounting element.

3. The decorative foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the internal mounting element defines a longitudinal edge and wherein at least one of the external mounting elements defines a corresponding edge for interfacing with the longitudinal edge of the internal mounting element when the decorative foldable frame adopts the interfacing position.

4. The decorative foldable frame of claim 3, wherein the longitudinal edge defines a first longitudinal edge at the first end of the internal mounting element and a second longitudinal edge at the second end of internal mounting element and further wherein two external mounting elements define a first corresponding edge for interfacing with the first longitudinal edge of the internal mounting element and a second corresponding edge for interfacing with the second longitudinal edge of the internal mounting element when the decorative foldable frame adopts the interfacing position.

5. The decorative foldable frame of claim 4, wherein the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge of the internal mounting element comprises a 45° longitudinal edge.

6. The decorative foldable frame of claim 5, wherein the first corresponding edge of a first one of the two external mounting elements and the second corresponding edge of a second one of the two external mounting elements comprise a corresponding 45° longitudinal edge for interfacing with the first and second longitudinal edges of the internal mounting element when the decorative foldable frame adopts the fixedly interfacing position.

7. The decorative foldable frame of claim 4, wherein the internal mounting element interacts with the at least two external mounting elements for creating a 90° angle.

8. The decorative foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements comprise one of: a medium-density fiberboard material, a low-density fiberboard material, a high-density fiberboard material, a particle board, a wood material, a metallic material, a polymeric material and any combination thereof.

9. The decorative foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the foldable layer comprises a thermoplastic material, a plastic material, a polymeric material, a metallic material, a linerboard material and any combination thereof.

10. The decorative foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the foldable layer covers the internal mounting surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.

11. The decorative foldable frame of claim 10, wherein the foldable layer partially covers the internal mounting surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.

12. The decorative foldable frame of claim 1, wherein the foldable layer covers the external surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.

13. The decorative foldable frame of claim 12, wherein the foldable layer partially covers the external surface of the internal mounting element and the at least two external mounting elements.

14. The decorative foldable frame of claim 12, wherein the foldable layer further includes at least one foldable projection portion outwardly extending from the foldable layer.

15. A decorative foldable member comprising:

an internal mounting element defining an internal interfacing surface, a first longitudinal end, a second longitudinal end and an external surface;

two external mounting elements, each one of the two external mounting elements being adjacent to the first and second longitudinal ends respectively of the internal mounting element, each one of the two external mounting elements defining an external surface and an internal interfacing surface, an interfacing surface of one of the two external mounting elements for interfacing with the internal interfacing surface of the other one of the two external mounting element; and

a foldable layer covering at least one of: the internal interfacing surface and the external surface of the internal mounting element or the two external mounting elements;

wherein the foldable layer is integrally formed for allowing the decorative foldable member to fold and unfold to adopt any position between a non-interfacing position and an interfacing position.

16. The decorative foldable member of claim 15, wherein when adopting the interfacing position, the internal interfacing surfaces of the two external mounting elements are interfacing for creating a mating connector at a distal end of the decorative foldable member to receive at least one corresponding mating connector of another member.

17. The decorative foldable member of claim 15, wherein the internal interfacing surface of the internal mounting element comprises a first internal interfacing surface and a second internal interfacing surface adjacent to the first internal interfacing surface.

18. The decorative foldable member of claim 17, wherein the two external mounting elements define a first corresponding edge on one of the two external mounting elements for totally interfacing with the first internal interfacing surface of the internal mounting element and a second corresponding edge on the other one of the two external mounting elements for interfacing with the second interfacing surface of the internal mounting element when the decorative foldable member adopts the interfacing position.

19. The decorative foldable member of claim 17, wherein the first internal interfacing surface and the second internal interfacing surface each defines a 45° longitudinal edge.

20. (canceled)

21. The decorative foldable member of claim 20, wherein the internal mounting element interacts with the two external mounting elements for creating 90° angles.

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. (canceled)

32. (canceled)

33. (canceled)